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Recently, Petside.com published their list of the top 25 pet people of 2010. Among those named were Dr. Leslie Capin, who won a large sum of money and donated it all to her favorite pet charities. Also mentioned was Dr. Cathy King (founder of World Vets) and Mike Arms (president of the Helen Woodward Animal Center). Among the top 25 were several celebrities, including Ellen Degeneres, Oprah Winfrey, Paula Abdul, Kevin Costner and others. Also on the list, unfortunately (in my opinion), was Michael Vick.
With the exception of Michael Vick, I like Petside’s list. I believe everyone on it is quite worthy of the recognition they received. However, I have a list of others who did not make the list but who are heroes in my eyes, nevertheless.
When Roxanne Hawn was asked, what would you change to benefit pets, she answered “I’d let people know that dogs don’t need to be hurt in order to learn.” As a result, the Never the Shock a Puppy campaign was born. Roxanne put together a coalition of bloggers (myself included) and launched a campaign to educate people about the alternatives to choke collars, pinch collars and shock collars. Together, the coalition also raised over $2600 to help the Humane Society of Boulder Valley in their No Choke Challenge. (Please note that the No Choke Challenge launches today!)
Kyla Duffy is another person who saw something she didn’t like and is now acting on her conviction. Her journey began with Bill, a puppy mill survivor. Bill was badly battered when he came to Kyla and she realized there was a serious issue here that needed to be addressed. As a result, she started a line of books that feature rescue stories with happy endings (Happy Tails Books). She is also in the process of getting ready for her first performance of Don’t Kill Bill: A Dog Lover’s Night Out, a show that mixes an aerial fabric show with storytelling to tell the audience about the many benefits of adopting a rescue dog.
Another person that I admire immensely is Mel Freer. Today, Mel announced in her post, Blog the Change – Why Bother Indeed, that, for the very first time, she is going to join a protest in front of a Petland store. For those of you who don’t know, Petland is well known for selling puppy mill puppies. Mel also announced that she is planning on pursuing her “blood pup” campaign. I admire Mel for following her convictions.
Another group of people that I admire greatly are Dr. Jessica Vogelsang (more commonly known as Dr. V), Dr. Janet Tobiassen-Crosby, Dr. Shawn Finch, Felissa Hadid and all of the bloggers that participated in the 24 hour blogathon to raise awareness about animal issues. Joining these bloggers was Vicki Boatright, a talented artist who completed an amazing piece of artwork within the same 24 hour period as part of the challenge.
Another person worthy of mention is Mary Doane, who looked into the frightened eyes of a shelter dog in need of a foster home and, despite the advice she received from some, stepped up and said “I can help this dog!” You can find more about Mary’s journey with Aaron on her blog, Mary’s Dogs.
These are only a few of the people who I believe deserve to be called heroes. I believe they illustrate very well that you don’t need to be a celebrity and you don’t need to be rich to make a difference. If you have the celebrity status and are willing to use that status to support a worthy cause, that’s wonderful. If you have the financial resources to make a large contribution to a worthy group or cause, that’s wonderful too. But if you’re not rich or famous, you can still make a difference. You can make a difference by simply speaking out.
- Roxanne’s Never Shock a Puppy Campaign did not make national headlines, but still it helped people know (and continues to help people know) that there are viable options to choking, pinching or shocking your dog.
- Mel and her fellow protesters might not close down the Petland store today, but perhaps a few people entering the store will be better educated when they leave than they were when they arrived. And who knows what accomplishments her “blood pup” campaign might accomplish.
- Kyla, like Mel, might not be successful in shutting down all the puppy mills by herself. But her voice and her talent will help educate people and eventually will help tip the scales.
- Mary might not have made a huge dent in the number of homeless pets awaiting a forever home in shelters and rescues throughout the country, but her contribution certainly made a huge difference in Aaron’s life.
None of these people are famous celebrities and certainly none of them are rich.Still, they are making a difference in their own ways. And these are only a few of the people that I know personally who are making a difference. There are many, many others that space doesn’t allow to name individually. Indeed, not all of the people on the Petside list are rich or famous either. They probably don’t think of themselves as heroes. Nevertheless, change occurs because of people like these!
Check out these other Blog the Change posts:
About Lorie Huston, DVM
Lorie Huston is a veterinarian, pet health and pet care expert, professional writer, blogger, social media and blogging consultant, and SEO strategist.
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post; these are some of my personal heroes too. I haven’t actually met Mel and Mary but feel like I know them through their blogs, and Roxanne and Kyla are as terrific in person as they are in print.
I love the re-definition of heroism. And I can’t imagine why Michael Vick made anyone’s animal hero list.
I have to admit to never actually having met Mel or Mary in person either. Funny how we can make friends through our blogs and social media contacts without actual face-to-face time. And I agree about Roxanne and Kyla…both delightful people to be around. I’m so glad I was able to meet them both at BlogPaws. (And you too, Edie!)
Michael Vick certainly didn’t make it on to my list, either. Fair or not, I can’t forget the circumstances that brought him to where he is now.
Wow. I am beyond honored Lorie. Thank you so much! I don’t look at myself as a hero, but I do believe that every person can make a difference and even if each person only did one thing then it would still make the world a better place – write a letter, donate money or food or clothes, listen to someone who needs an ear, support someone who is starting something new, save a puppy, save a life – any of these would be honorable in my book.
BTW – I think you have a great list of some very awesome folks!
You deserve the recognition, Mel. And I believe you’re absolutely right about one person being able to make a difference by doing just one small thing.
Loved your list, Lorie! All wonderful examples of who continues to make a difference in animal lives daily! Creative post for Blog the Change!
Thank you, Hilary. There are so many pet bloggers and pet people that are doing wonderful things. I could have gone on forever, but these folks deserved special mention.
Wonderful post! Thank you for recognizing these people, all are my heros too. As for MV, he is not a hero. Period.
Thank you, Deborah. I agree with you about MV…definitely not a hero.
You are too kind, Lorie. Thanks for including me and Lilly in your list of heroes. We are very honored and touched.
It was an easy choice, Roxanne
Nice post, Lorie! I have always preferred the idea of “everyday heroes” – people living their lives in such a way that what they do effects change in the world. I smiled when I saw this list – I had written for the Lake Shore Animal Shelter website many years ago a section of how to help, pointing to Everyday Heroes who do things for animals that make an essential difference in the life of even one. Thanks for recognizing people who are the unsung everyday heroes and for making the challenge your own.
Thank you, Mary. I love that term…”everyday heroes.”
The whole concept of one voice or action among many making a difference in the world was really driven home to me at the BlogPaws convention and through the whole Be the Change theme. While one voice or action may make only a small impact by itself, when that voice or action is added to that of ten others, the impact grows exponentially. And when you add hundreds or thousands of voices and actions to the mix, the potential for true change becomes possible. I’ve also found that in many cases people are just waiting for someone else to make the first move. Once someone else starts a campaign or project, often many others join in to help, sometimes instantly turning one voice or action into many!
Great post – you highlighted some truly wonderful people.
Thank you for commenting. They really are wonderful people!
Wow – thanks so much for thinking of me! I can think of many more deserving, but I appreciate your faith in me especially as we approach Feb. 12th – the Don’t Kill Bill show. I’ve got to give a big shout out to Mel for doing something I can’t – standing out in front of a Petland store with a sign. I have so much respect for people who do it because as much as I hate puppy mills and feel that selling companion animals in pet stores is wrong, I just don’t have it in me to stand in front of a store. So today I’m toasting Mel for giving it a try! I’d also like to toast Lorie for compiling a great list of animal advocates – some of whom I know personally, and others whom I hope to someday meet. Woofs and meows.
Well said, Kyla, and thank you, though I don’t agree with you that there are others more deserving than you
I think Mel deserves a big toast too.
I liked the list and some of them are my personal heroes. I think that anyone who spent some time in trying to change the life of another living being (human or animal) is a hero.
Thank you Lorie! And now I am crying. Just because I hang out with you and these other Awesomes doesn’t make me one too! I think you are great and I am so touched you would mention me ♥
Hey, don’t sell yourself short! You are awesome! And you deserved the mention
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